idling problem

[aleksey]

I drive a 95 Accord LX & recently have noticed my RPM's jumping up & down from 700 to 1600 rpm's in 1-2 second intervals when the car is idling. It has happened about 4-5 times in the last few weeks. Anyone have any initial thoughts? Thermostat?

[94AccordEX]

Heh, I am having the exact same problema at this time. It happened right after changing the timing belts and water pump at the neighborhood mechanic. Went back and they couldn't fix it.

Do a search on 'idle' in this forum and the technical forum and you'll see this is a very common problem. I did the search and found a bunch of possible causes from TP to vacuum problems to idle speed, etc, from other people who have had this problem.

[I2FAST4U2C]

I have the same problem with my 94 Accord Ex..It is a vaccum problem but I'm not sure how to fix it. Mine started right after I put an intake in the car. Who knows....Mine only acts up in cold weather. --TG

[94AccordEX]

How many miles you got on yours? I got 105k.

Originally Posted by I2FAST4U2C

I have the same problem with my 94 Accord Ex..It is a vaccum problem but I'm not sure how to fix it. Mine started right after I put an intake in the car. Who knows....Mine only acts up in cold weather. --TG

[aleksey]

Mine has 107k

[I2FAST4U2C]

I have 209k on mine... still runs strong.--TG

[94AccordEX]

Any major things gone worng that I should look out for? Besides the idling?

Originally Posted by I2FAST4U2C

I have 209k on mine... still runs strong.--TG

[I2FAST4U2C]

Originally Posted by 94AccordEX

Any major things gone worng that I should look out for? Besides the idling?

Nothing at all. The car is amazing. I would keep an eye on the brake calipers, they rust up sometimes...and any parts that see some wear and tear. Um, Just keep it maintained and it'll run forever (hopefully)..My honda mechanic said he recently saw a 94 Accord with over 300k on it. Unbelieveable...--TG

[charlie williams]

87 honda accord lx 5 speed my car idles in a very strange way when cold idles fast which is normal when it warms up it most of the time dies u have 2 keep giving it gas to keep it running when u go down the road at any speed and push in the clutch it dies pop the clutch and it starts barely giving it gas and you can hear it suck air ,sounds like it is comeing from the brake booster sometimes u press in clutch and the rpms go up 2 3000 release clutch and barely giving it gas or barely pumping the gas and u do not hear the sucking of air sound i have replaced the o2 sencor and no luck if u have any suggestions please feal free to share with me thanks in advance cbw

[kruzer71]

try adjusting your dile control valve.. There should be 2 screws that you have to remove and turn the valve clockwise till it's snug not tight... try that and see what happens...

[kruzer71]

I meant to say idle.. sorry

[98camrycincy]

Sounds like a vacuum problem. Check all vac lines for cracks and leaks. Good luck!

[Hondaman56]

Its not a vacume problem. I'm betting that it only happens when its cold outside. If so, I've had the same problem for 5 years since I moved to the northeast from Florida. I'll also bet that if you answer yes to that first question that your temp gauge stays burried at dead cold. Again, its the same as my 94 Accord. I've recently been researching this and have narrowed it down to two things. Sticking thermostat, and/or temp sensor located on the thermostat housing. I'm going to replace both very soon on my car as the total parts cost for genuine Honda parts is under $40 for both. Will let you know.


Charlie, when was the last time you had the timing belt changed? Your symptoms sound like a car thats off on timing and it could be caused by a worn and streatched out timing belt. If you had it replaced very recently, it sounds like its off a tooth. My CRX did this same thing after we changed the timing belt, and it was off one tooth. (Aftermarket betls also cause this as they are too long!)

[aleksey]

Everything is back to normal after replacing the thermostat. That's all it was. The idle doesn't jump up & down anymore and my heat is back on.

[94AccordEX]

Is it easy to change thermostat? I gonna change mine and see what happens.